Chapter Seven

"Tony can I talk to you?" Ziva sat on the couch wondering if he would mind her interrupting his basketball game.

"Sure" He flipped off the TV and turned to face her fully so she would know she had his complete attention.

"I wanted to discuss the name of our baby."

"What's to discuss? We already agreed on naming him Anthony DiNozzo." Tony leaned back wondering what had caused Ziva to change her mind.

"And I still want him to be Anthony DiNozzo, just not the third." She hoped he wouldn't be too upset with her feelings, at least he didn't look to be at the moment.

"How would he not be the third if he's named after me?" She was looking skittish and he had a feeling he was causing her to feel that way, so he relaxed even more hoping it would calm her.

"I want to give him a different first name and use Anthony as his middle name." She hesitantly shared. She didn't like the idea of continuing to let him believe something that wasn't the complete truth.

"What else could you possibly have in mind?" Tony sat back up. If his name had been good enough for her two months ago than why wasn't it now?

"Well, I'd like to name him after a childhood friend that meant a great deal to me. I wish him to be Isiah Anthony." She began subconsciously rubbing a pattern through her t-shirt, an act she had picked up not long after finding out about her pregnancy. It tended to soothe them both.

"I don't like it." Tony stated simply.

"Will you at least give it some consideration?" His attitude seemed dismissive.

"There's no need to Ziva. I don't like it." He was a bit firmer this time. He had the right to have a say in what his son would be called.

"Tony it's important to me, just like I know it means a lot to you for him to carry on your name and this way he'll still have it. All I ask is that you put some actual thought into it and not turn me down so hastily." This was supposed to be a joint decision, but he seemed dead set on turning her down.

"So now I'm not thinking? No Ziva. Maybe there might be a different name we can compromise on but that's not it." He turned back to the television and flipped it on.

"How would you feel if I said I've changed my mind and I want his sir name to be David instead?" Ziva tried a different angle to get her point across.

"He's a DiNozzo not a David. Why would you want to shut me out like that?" Tony muted his game and turned back to her. Did she really have plans on doing that to him?

"I wouldn't, but is that not what you're doing to me?" He still wasn't getting it.

"That's not the same."

"How is it not!" She was trying to be reasonable but now Tony was just making her mad.

"Turning down a half rate name is not the same as giving my child a different last name! If you're going to do that you might as well start telling people he's not mine because that's what they're going to think!" He yelled. She wasn't happy until they were fighting.

"I am sick and tired of walking on egg shells around you! No matter what I say or do you are never satisfied! I am tired of feeling like you are always disappointed in me! I don't know what you were expecting but I will never be that housewife you are trying so desperately to turn me into!" Ziva refused to let the tears fall. She had felt this way for months and it was past time that he knew.

"Ziva I'm sorry, I promise I'll consider it alright?" He grabbed her arm to stop her from leaving. Clearly the hormones were raging.

"Are you happy?" Ziva removed his hand as she stood. "Can you honestly tell me that you are content in this relationship?"

"I love you" He swore. It had been an emotional day and he should've known better than to upset her.

"Tony, love has nothing to do with this. Something that is meant to be shouldn't be so difficult. I watch every word I use around you and you barely speak with me because we both know it will most likely end in an argument neither of us want." Ziva knew he felt the same and she wished he would just make it easier on them both and admit it.

"Ziva I said I was sorry." He was trying his best, yet it never seemed to be enough.

"I'm afraid that this time that won't be sufficient. I love you, I truly do, and I hope our friendship can get back to what it once was, but I cannot do this anymore. It is not healthy nor is it fair. Not to either of us." A tear finally fell as witnessed the pain appear in his eyes.

"Give me another chance." He thumbed away her tears praying to prevent any of his own.

"Tony, I've tried my best to stay for our son, but we've been splitting since before we knew of his existence. We cannot stay together solely because I am pregnant. It isn't right. If we end things now it is with a relationship left to fix."

"And what about our son? Are you honestly going to split up his family before he even gets the chance to experience having one?" It might have been a low blow but he was desperate.

"You are his father and nothing will change that. I would like to mend our friendship for his benefit and ours, but ultimately that is up to you. Our son will always have a family though. I am certain the team's feelings for him will not change just because our relationship status has. He will always know love." It was time for her to go.

"And if I said you can name him Isiah?" Tony tried as he followed her to the door.

Ziva couldn't help the watery chuckle that left her throat, "If only it were that easy, but this is not about his name Tony." That had simply been the final wakeup call.

"You can't blame a guy for trying." Tony tried for a smirk but it was probably closer to a grimace.

"No, I can't." She could tell he was hurting and so was she, but they just couldn't continue forcing a relationship that should've long since ended.

"Where are you going?" He couldn't help but worry about her safety; it was past midnight.

"I do not know yet." She pulled on her sweater as she began searching for her keys.

"Stay the night Ziva. I'll leave if you want but I don't want anything happening to you." Perhaps if she stayed he could convince her that she was making a mistake.

"I will be fine." She shook her head still searching for her keys.

"Here" He reluctantly shook the keys to get her attention before passing them over with her cellphone. "If you insist on leaving at least let me know that you're safe when you get there." He doubted he'd be sleeping tonight but at least he wouldn't have to wonder if she was safe.

"I will send you a text." She pocketed the phone and moved to open the door.

"Wait a second," He squatted in front of her, feeling a bit ridiculous but not really caring. "I love you," He placed a chaste kiss to the center of her stomach, "and mommy. She's just being stubborn right now, but I promise I'll fix this."

"Tony" Ziva warned, feeling her eyes begin to mist.

Getting up he made direct eye contact, "I do love you Ziva and I will figure out how to make things right between us again."

"I better be going." She knew she was doing the right thing, but it didn't mean she wouldn't consider staying if he continued.

"Be safe." He waited for her figure to disappear from the hallway before shutting the door. He meant every word he had said. Things might be bad, he might be the reason they were, but he planned on fixing that. He was going to get his family back one way or another. No matter what the cost.